Sven-Goran Eriksson named 17-year-old Theo Walcott in his provisional England World Cup squad on today in 2006, regardless of the ahead not having performed in the Premier League for Arsenal.
Walcott grew to become England’s youngest worldwide when he performed in a pre-tournament pleasant towards Hungary.
But he didn’t make an look on the match as England reached the quarter-finals however misplaced to Portugal after Wayne Rooney’s crimson card.
Walcott was no stranger to creating historical past at a young age. He had develop into Southampton’s youngest ever participant when he featured in a 0-0 Championship draw at dwelling to Wolves aged 16 and 143 days, then grew to become their youngest goalscorer with a strike in a 2-1 defeat to Leeds two months later.
His early promise persuaded Arsenal to signal him for an preliminary £5million, doubtlessly rising to £12m, in January 2006, however he had been stored ready for his first-team likelihood earlier than Eriksson got here calling in the summer season.
Walcott acquired the information of his choice from his dad, and later mentioned: “I thought he was having me on. I was shocked and surprised as everyone was; my eyes were just popping out of my head.”
Eriksson admitted on the time the choice was “a gamble” however he felt Walcott’s tempo may provide England a wild card possibility.
But the Swede later admitted he didn’t assist Walcott when saying the participant had by no means fairly reached the degrees anticipated of him.
“Maybe the expectations on him were too high, and maybe I didn’t help him there,” Eriksson instructed OLBG final yr.
Walcott went on to earn 47 England caps, however agreed his first call-up got here too quickly.
“I was thrown into the limelight straight away having not even played a Premier League game,” he mentioned.
“Suddenly you are surrounded by these top-quality players and you are thinking ‘do I deserve to be here?’”
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